The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1887-12-29

H.
guished Men Who Have Become
Shiftless Wanderers-The Reason
and Remedy
From the Ne,c York star.
Where do all the tramps come fromr,
This is question that is often asked, but
it is one that is never answered. Most peo-
pie suppose that the professional tramp is an
idle, uneducated man, who, after becoming
drunkard, wanders about until he loses
self-respect. That this is an error a few
facts in the possession of the writer will
prove.
The regular tramp-lazy and ragged, I'M
shaven and shiftless, half thief, half ruff
fan, who wanders from town to town and
frightens lonely women on farms and in viii
Iages-was a creature almost unknown in
America twenty-five years ago. But at the
close of our civil war there were let loose
upon the country class of men who had
acquired confirmed habit of struggling
from the lines of mar hing troops during
the progress of an active campaign. Con-
stitutionally averse to and FESTIVE under
military restraint and discipline, these army
stragglers invariably slipped from their
places in the ranks at the first convenient
opportunity. Sedulously keeping aloof from
the moving columns, tn y loitered in field
corners or the depths Of wood, cooking
coffee and consuming the rations received on
leaving camp.
1t was curious and improbable habit,
for the "straggler--a coffee cooler" as he
was termed by tile better class of soldiers
gained very little by it, except to escape
from guard or picket duty during march,
though the chance for foraging among hen
roosts and to plumber lonely dwellings, had
fascination for him that was seldom re-
sisted.
Many Colonel has wished that these
vagabonds would desert during the next
campaign and so rid his regiment of their
unwelcome presence forever. But, having
wholesome fear of facing half a dozen
n1uskets as deserters, the stragglers were
curse and disgrace.
The war ended at last, and the opposing
armies melted away as the soldiers entered
the pursuits of peace. For time the
straggler lounged about in the character of
q hero, and it was noticeable that they had
seen more battles than usually fall to a SOL
der. Utterly idle and dissipated, these
men finally degenerated into tramps, and
thus a multitude of vagabond ruffians be-
gan roaming over the country. From this
heaven has risen the present generation of
tramps.
Year after year this tramp army grows
larger aud larger and more troublesome,
the problem how to check the evil being one
difficult to solve
ELConfrmed drunkenness is the most pro-
life cause for habitual tramping. A once
prominent New York lawyer is now a mis-
oracle tramp He stood in the front rank of
his honorable profession and fascinated
Jur1es by his eloqucnce, but love for liquor
sent him so rapidly on the downward path
that he lost his clients, his reputation and
his self-respect.
Sitting behind the desk of police station
one bitter cold night, the writer saw this
mise able man creep in and humbly ask for
a lodging. The sergeant pointed to door,
and the shivering tramp shrunk away to
sleep on plank, being only too happy to be
near a red hot stove.
II remember that man." said the SER
geant, when he cross-examined me as a
witness in case of robbery, he being the
prisoners coun ell Little did he or | then
think he would ever come to me as a tramp
for a nights lodging. How things do
change in this world"
Interested in this case, the writer went
down to the sitting lodging room and offer
sd'to help this wyer:tramp if he would
try to reform and regain his manhood. His
reply was pitiable one.
Its no use, cannot do it. I've sunk too
low. My oplJ desire now is for liquor. The
appetite S too strong for me to resist. Be-
sides, how can ever hope to regain my old
standing in the community No, [ am a
tramp, and / must continue to be tramp
until the day shall fill a pauper's grave"
A few years ago a journalist of consid-
cradle repute and talent, who had made his
mark on more than one newspaper in this
city, was well-known for his neat dress and
pleasant manners. To see him at his desk
dashing off epigrammatics editorials or
giving orders TO his subordinates, no one
would dream that he could ever become
tramp. But so it was. Domestic troubles
drove him into intemperance in vain hope
of drowning bis sorrows. The love for
drink grew upon him and hurled the unfor-
tunate man down the journalistic ladder
until the day arrived when he could not OBJ
tain any employment Then he disappeared
and his old comrades lost sight of him. A
few weeks ago, while passing through
Park row, encountered ragged, rough
bearded man, his linen shirt black with age,
his clothes stained and threadbare, while
there was a wolfsh look OF hunger in his
eyes that startled me. Having good mem-
Dry for faces, l knew had met the man be-
fore; but he had disappeared in tie movi ~
crowd before had identified him with the
editor who once was my comrade.
Twelve years ago young ACTOR trod the
boards of one of our leading theatres, his
line being the portrayal of the ideal gilded
= .fH
window and his breakfast table was Uttered
with billet doux and social invitations.
Prosperity led him into excuses and he be-
came wanderer. | saw him in Chicago a
few years ago slouching aloag Michigan
avenue in taUtered, mud-stained garments,
with pair of dilapidaCed shoes that did not
afford any protection to his blistered and
swollen feet The handsome face of the
! once favorite actor was now bloated
and hidden by matted beard, and his eyes
were bleared and Redeemed by liquor. That
winter he was found dead and frozen stiff
under truck by one who had been com
rade of his before the footlights, and who
saw his body placed in decent grave for
the Ike OF old times.
In 1864 ] saw brigade move forward in
splendid style ON the field of battle. At it's
head rode fine-looking man, wearing the
uniform of a General. A thorough soldier
and brave man, he led his command for
ward most CALAMITY and carried the posi-
tion assigned him. Had he met his death
then it would have been well for him, for
he would have died in the hour of victory
and at the zenith of his fame. But with
the days of peace he became dTunkard and
finally a tramp, who was glad to accept
few cents from any of his old soldiers, being
lost to all sense of shame In his terrible
degradation. He finally closed his eyes in
charity hospital, mere wreck of his former
self.